Carib Scope

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  • NOTICE: Resumption Of Works At Townhouse Megastore To Fadi Building Supplies

    NOTICE: Resumption Of Works At Townhouse Megastore To Fadi Building Supplies

    The Ministry of Works of Antigua and Barbuda has issued an official public notification confirming the resumption of key infrastructure rehabilitation works along the All Saints Road (ASR) corridor, stretching from Townhouse Megastore to FADI Building Supplies. Scheduled to launch in the late evening of Tuesday, 31 March 2026, the construction work will require two targeted road blockages to accommodate safe operations of heavy construction machinery.

    The first closure affects the west-to-east bound lane of All Saints Road at the Bendals junction, located adjacent to the Townhouse Megastore traffic light. The second blockage will close the immediate right-hand turn into the Briggins community for east-to-west bound traffic, positioned just after the John I Martin Racetrack. To minimize disruption to daily commuter and commercial traffic, a designated detour route will be put in effect covering the Briggins vicinity, running from 7:00 pm on the start date through 7:00 am the following morning.

    Crucially, all local businesses operating along the affected corridor will remain fully open throughout the construction period, avoiding any forced closure that would impact local commerce or community access. Trained flag persons will be stationed at key points along the work zone and detour to guide motorists through the adjusted route, and transportation officials are urging all drivers to strictly follow on-site directions to prevent accidents, given the presence of large heavy-duty equipment operating in close proximity to travel lanes.

    This rehabilitation initiative forms a core component of the broader All Saints Road Project, a government-led infrastructure upgrade effort aimed at improving road safety, reducing long-term maintenance needs, and supporting increased connectivity across the region. Project organizers have called on all local stakeholders, including daily commuters, commercial delivery operators, and residents, to proactively adjust their travel itineraries ahead of the scheduled work to account for potential minor delays along alternative routes. For any questions or additional information about the work schedule or detour layout, members of the public can contact the Project Implementation Management Unit directly via telephone at 562-9173 during regular business hours.

  • ABLP to Launch ‘Big Red Machine’ with Concert Event on April 7

    ABLP to Launch ‘Big Red Machine’ with Concert Event on April 7

    The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) is poised to launch its 2023 general election campaign machinery, dubbed the ‘Big Red Machine,’ with a major concert event scheduled for April 7th. This strategic unveiling marks the official commencement of the party’s organized push toward the upcoming national elections.

    The concert-style launch event is designed to mobilize supporters and generate substantial public enthusiasm around the ABLP’s campaign platform. The ‘Big Red Machine’ terminology evokes imagery of a well-organized, powerful political operation running at full capacity.

    Political analysts note that such high-energy, entertainment-driven launches have become increasingly common in Caribbean politics as parties seek to engage younger voters and create viral momentum. The April 7th event is expected to feature prominent musical performers alongside party leadership, blending political messaging with popular culture.

    This campaign kickoff occurs within Antigua and Barbuda’s competitive political landscape, where the ABLP currently holds governing power under Prime Minister Gaston Browne. The concert launch represents the party’s effort to translate administrative achievements into electoral support through a modern, crowd-energizing approach.

    The ‘Big Red Machine’ branding consistently incorporates the party’s signature color scheme while projecting an image of strength and organizational cohesion. This campaign methodology emphasizes grassroots mobilization alongside spectacle-driven events to maximize both attendance and media coverage in the critical pre-election period.

  • Lester Vaughan unveils new cosmetology lab as education reform gathers pace

    Lester Vaughan unveils new cosmetology lab as education reform gathers pace

    In a significant advancement for Barbados’s educational modernization agenda, Lester Vaughan School has inaugurated a cutting-edge cosmetology laboratory through a strategic public-private partnership. This facility positions the institution as a pioneering center for technical and creative education, directly aligning with national efforts to equip students for emerging economic opportunities.

    Education Transformation Minister Chad Blackman conducted an inaugural tour of the facility, emphasizing its role in preparing students for the rapidly expanding global beauty industry. “The global cosmetology sector currently represents a $700 billion market, with projections indicating growth to $900 billion by 2027,” Minister Blackman stated. “Our fundamental question becomes how we strategically position Barbadian students to access this substantial global marketplace.”

    The minister articulated a transformative educational philosophy that moves beyond traditional technical training. “This initiative transcends basic hairstyling instruction,” he explained. “We’re cultivating business acumen within the beauty industry and developing the comprehensive skill sets required for international market leadership—grounded in professional values, confidence, and excellence.”

    This collaboration with #1 Beauty Supply exemplifies the government’s “Partners in Education” initiative, receiving particular commendation from Chief Education Officer Dr. Ramona Archer Bradshaw. The partnership extends beyond infrastructure development, incorporating a structured internship program that will place nine students within the company’s commercial operations.

    Dr. Archer Bradshaw addressed attendees with a powerful affirmation of diverse educational pathways: “This facility embodies our conviction that excellence manifests through multiple channels. Whether students pursue engineering, medicine, or cosmetology, the Ministry believes education must validate all professional trajectories.”

    Beginning September 2024, cosmetology and barbering will be formally integrated into the school’s Arts Department curriculum, alongside established programs in music, theater, and visual arts. This structural integration represents a deliberate response to the expanding creative sector, often termed the “Orange Economy,” where artistic innovation intersects with commercial enterprise.

    The inauguration included a symbolic demonstration of student capability when Minister of Home Affairs Gregory Nicholls received professional grooming services from a student barber. This interaction visibly demonstrated the initiative’s core objective: providing tangible, confidence-building experiences that connect classroom learning with real-world application.

    Lester Vaughan School now joins ten other secondary institutions offering beauty education, distinguishing itself as one of only six nationwide providing comprehensive training in both cosmetology and barbering disciplines. As the fifth laboratory established through private sector collaboration, this project establishes a direct vocational pathway while advancing national priorities in sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and social well-being.

  • Unions hail return of teachers term leave

    Unions hail return of teachers term leave

    In a landmark achievement for educator welfare, Barbadian teachers have successfully reclaimed their entitlement to term’s leave following twelve years of persistent advocacy. Union leaders celebrated this restoration as a significant triumph during a Monday press conference at the Ministry of Education Transformation headquarters.

    Gilbert Carmichael, General Secretary of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), expressed profound relief at the resolution of this protracted struggle. “We’re extremely elated this afternoon,” Carmichael stated. “Twelve years certainly isn’t twelve days, and this has been a long, hard fight.” He acknowledged both governmental cooperation and membership solidarity as crucial factors in achieving this outcome.

    The reinstated benefit, eliminated in 2014 under austerity measures by the Democratic Labour Party administration, allows qualified educators to receive a full school term of paid leave after fifteen years of service, renewable every five subsequent years. Originally intended as a temporary restriction, the policy had limited access to first-time applicants and those approaching retirement.

    Mary-Ann Redman, President of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union, described the development as resolving “a source of frustration, bother, hurt, anger to teachers in the system.” She emphasized the indispensable nature of term’s leave for educators’ emotional, physical, and professional well-being.

    BUT President Rudy Lovell highlighted the contemporary relevance of this benefit, noting that teaching has become “one of the most intellectually and emotionally demanding” professions due to increased workloads, expanded administrative requirements, and additional teaching periods contributing to widespread fatigue and burnout.

    The restoration followed sustained union efforts including legal action initiated in 2017 and a two-day strike by the BUT in April 2025. Ryan Phillips of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados characterized the decision as signaling governmental commitment to worker welfare and potentially heralding improved dialogue regarding working conditions across Barbados’ public service.

  • Saint Lucia supports UN resolution on slave trade as ‘gravest crime’

    Saint Lucia supports UN resolution on slave trade as ‘gravest crime’

    In a landmark decision at the United Nations General Assembly, 123 nations endorsed a historic resolution formally recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity.” The measure, championed by Ghana, further urged member states to consider issuing formal apologies and contributing to a reparations fund addressing the enduring legacy of historical enslavement.

    Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia, a vocal supporter, hailed the resolution as a necessary and timely acknowledgment of a painful historical chapter. He emphasized the importance of confronting this history, stating, “Some of us would prefer to forget. But… that’s part of our history… We should never forget that it happened.”

    The vote revealed significant international divisions. The United States, Israel, and Argentina cast opposing votes, while 52 nations, including the United Kingdom and several European Union members, abstained. U.S. representative Ambassador Dan Negrea articulated a stance shared by several abstaining nations, asserting that the U.S. “does not recognise a legal right to reparations for historical wrongs that were not illegal under international law at the time they occurred.” This argument posits that contemporary governments and institutions cannot be held legally accountable for actions that occurred centuries prior.

    Although General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding like Security Council mandates, they possess considerable symbolic and political influence, serving as a barometer of global consensus on critical moral and historical issues. The passage of this resolution amplifies the ongoing global discourse on historical justice, accountability, and the complex question of financial reparations for the descendants of enslaved peoples.

  • Antigua Sailing Week Expands Shoreside Experience With Riddim & Tides Beach Celebration.

    Antigua Sailing Week Expands Shoreside Experience With Riddim & Tides Beach Celebration.

    Antigua Sailing Week, one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious regattas, is set to significantly enhance its shoreside offerings by introducing the ‘Riddim & Tides’ beach celebration. This innovative addition aims to transform the event from a purely competitive sailing spectacle into a comprehensive cultural festival, merging world-class nautical competition with the vibrant spirit of Caribbean entertainment.

    The new ‘Riddim & Tides’ experience will feature live musical performances from renowned regional and international artists, creating an immersive audio-visual backdrop against the stunning Antiguan coastline. Organizers have curated a program that includes traditional Caribbean rhythms, contemporary beats, and sunset soundscapes, providing both participants and spectators with unforgettable post-race entertainment.

    Beyond the musical elements, the celebration will showcase local culinary excellence through pop-up stalls offering authentic Antiguan cuisine and premium cocktails. This expansion represents a strategic effort to boost local tourism and provide economic opportunities for island vendors, artisans, and hospitality providers. The integration of these cultural elements is designed to attract a broader audience, including non-sailing enthusiasts who wish to experience the unique blend of sport and island culture.

    Event directors note that this expansion reflects the evolving nature of destination regattas, where the overall experience is becoming as important as the competition itself. The 2024 edition of Antigua Sailing Week, with its enhanced shoreside program, is positioned to set a new standard for maritime events in the region, offering a holistic celebration of sailing, music, and Caribbean lifestyle.

  • Commissioner Jeffers Attends RSS Chiefs of Security Meeting in St. Lucia

    Commissioner Jeffers Attends RSS Chiefs of Security Meeting in St. Lucia

    Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers has concluded his inaugural regional diplomatic mission since appointment, returning to Antigua and Barbuda after participating in the high-level Regional Security System (RSS) Chiefs of Security Conference in St. Lucia. The strategic gathering, convened from March 25-26, 2026, brought together top security officials from across the Caribbean basin alongside international partners from the United States and United Kingdom.

    Chaired by St. Lucia’s Acting Police Commissioner Ronald Phillip, the summit facilitated comprehensive dialogues on multiple security fronts. Day one proceedings featured expert presentations from CARICOM IMPACS and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), establishing the framework for substantive policy discussions.

    Central to the agenda was the enhancement of maritime surveillance capabilities and the operational advancement of the RSS Logistics Hub through the Regional Maritime Sustainment Initiative. Participants also examined critical reforms to the Caribbean’s disaster management infrastructure, seeking to bolster regional resilience against climate emergencies and natural catastrophes.

    The conference further addressed legislative implementation strategies for the Justice Protection Act, examined artificial intelligence integration frameworks for law enforcement applications, and analyzed emerging challenges in regional energy security. RSS Directorate officials provided comprehensive briefings on current operational priorities and ongoing security initiatives.

    Commissioner Jeffers characterized the engagement as ‘instrumental in fostering collaborative security partnerships,’ emphasizing that the exchanged perspectives would significantly benefit both Antigua and Barbuda’s Royal Police Force and broader regional security architectures. The commissioner’s absence from March 24-27 saw Deputy Commissioner Louisa Benjamin-Quashie assuming acting command responsibilities during the interregnum.

  • A Tribute In Thanksgiving for the Life and Ministry of The Very Rev. James Rudolph Smithen

    A Tribute In Thanksgiving for the Life and Ministry of The Very Rev. James Rudolph Smithen

    The Anglican community across the Northeastern Caribbean and Aruba is mourning the loss of The Very Reverend James Rudolph Smithen, CSM, GCM, who passed away on March 1, 2026. Dean Emeritus Smithen’s remarkable five-decade ministry left an indelible mark on religious life throughout the region, culminating in his leadership of St. John’s Cathedral in Antigua and its district churches.

    Smithen’s theological journey began at Barbados’ Codrington College before advancing through specialized studies in Canada and England. His ecclesiastical career commenced under the mentorship of the late Very Reverend Fitzroy Elderfield Pestaina at St. John’s Cathedral, where he would eventually return as Dean and Parish Priest following his 1973 ordination.

    His early ministerial assignments included significant postings across the Caribbean archipelago. From 1973, he served as Parish Priest of St. Mary with St. Augustine and St. Andrew in Anguilla before transferring in 1978 to St. George with St. Barnabas in Basseterre, St. Kitts. His appointment there marked a historic milestone as he became the first black priest and first native spiritual leader to oversee the island’s largest Anglican congregation.

    Smithen’s profound impact on religious education manifested through his disciplined approach to confirmation classes and doctrinal instruction. His administrative capabilities earned him appointment as Archdeacon of St. Kitts in 1985, entrusting him with pastoral oversight across eight islands within the diocese.

    The pinnacle of his career arrived in 2003 with his installation as Dean of St. John’s Cathedral in Antigua. His leadership faced its greatest test during the cathedral’s extensive restoration beginning in 2010, when the historic building required closure for structural stabilization. Smithen navigated this challenging period with exceptional administrative skill, coordinating architects, engineers, and community stakeholders while maintaining parish cohesion through spiritual guidance that emphasized the enduring nature of worship beyond physical structures.

    His contributions earned national recognition from two governments: Antigua and Barbuda conferred the Grand Cross of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit (GCM) in 2014, while St. Kitts and Nevis awarded the Companion of the Star of Merit (CSM) in 2021.

    Even in retirement, Smithen continued his theological contributions, publishing his final work on Anglican Eucharist practices mere weeks before his passing. His legacy endures through generations of clergy and laypersons mentored throughout his extensive service, leaving the Caribbean Anglican community enriched by his steadfast devotion to faith and community.

  • Herinneringen aan Santokhi: Toewijding aan democratie en regionale samenwerking

    Herinneringen aan Santokhi: Toewijding aan democratie en regionale samenwerking

    The international community is united in grief following the sudden passing of former Surinamese President Chandrikapersad ‘Chan’ Santokhi at age 67. Leaders across the Americas and beyond are commemorating his legacy as a dedicated statesman, bridge-builder, and champion of democratic values and regional cooperation.

    Regional tributes highlight Santokhi’s profound impact on Caribbean unity. Representatives from Bonaire’s Human Rights Organization praised his “tireless advocacy for democratic governance and the dignity of his people,” noting his active engagement in CARICOM meetings demonstrated deep commitment to regional solidarity. Caribbean Community (CARICOM) officials emphasized his distinguished service as Conference Chair of CARICOM Heads of Government in 2022, where he decisively addressed critical issues including skills certification expansion, the Haiti situation, and industrial policy development.

    Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley recalled Santokhi’s profound understanding of regional partnerships, noting he worked “with warmth and purpose” to strengthen Caribbean community ties. She revealed his last communication was a heartfelt congratulatory message following her recent electoral victory, calling this gesture emblematic of his “courteous, attentive nature and dedication to friendship in public life.”

    Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten underscored Santokhi’s role in strengthening bilateral relations, acknowledging his “unceasing efforts to enhance ties between the Netherlands and Suriname.” The Dutch Royal House recognized his contributions to democratic order and security, noting his work strengthening Netherlands-Suriname relations remains a “warm memory.”

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Santokhi’s cultural connections, noting his “affection for Indian culture” and role in strengthening India-Suriname relations. Modi observed Santokhi “won countless hearts” by taking his presidential oath in Sanskrit, calling his passing “an irreplaceable loss for the global Indian diaspora.”

    French Ambassador Nicolas de Lacoste expressed that “France has lost a friend and reliable partner” who significantly deepened bilateral relations. The U.S. Embassy in Suriname honored Santokhi as an alumnus of their International Visitor Leadership Program, recognizing his contributions to the Surinamese people and broader Caribbean region.

  • Cougars celebrate BSSAC title

    Cougars celebrate BSSAC title

    The streets of Bridgetown erupted in celebration on Monday as St Michael School paraded their athletic supremacy following a dominant victory at the Dasani BSSAC Championships. Marking their second consecutive title win, the triumphant team embarked on a jubilant motorcade that captivated local communities and showcased exceptional school spirit.

    Departing from their campus at 10 a.m., dozens of elite athletes, spirited cheerleaders, and dedicated coaching staff rode atop decorated trucks through key city areas. The procession generated enthusiastic responses from residents who lined the streets to cheer and wave at the passing champions.

    Head coach Gabriel Burnett revealed to media that the victory celebration had been strategically planned before the championships concluded, reflecting the team’s extraordinary confidence in their capabilities. “It feels tremendous,” Burnett stated. “We prioritize what our athletes desire, and annually they request this motorcade. We ensure we deliver this experience for them.”

    The coaching veteran emphasized that the repeated success stemmed from systematic preparation rather than overconfidence. “This achievement aligns completely with our expectations since last year. While some might misinterpret our assurance as arrogance, we maintained profound confidence in our developmental process and competitive execution,” Burnett explained.

    As architects of an enduring athletic legacy, St Michael School continues to reinforce its reputation as an institutional powerhouse. Burnett outlined his philosophy of shielding athletes from pressure while steering the program: “I consistently remind our competitors that all glory belongs to them while I assume all operational challenges. Having competed at Olympic level myself, I don’t perceive external pressures as overwhelming. Our sponsor Pedialyte Sport provides tremendous support without imposing expectations.”

    The victory parade progressed from Welches through Station Hill before arriving at Combermere School, which had simultaneously secured its third consecutive boys’ title. Anticipation built dramatically as students gathered at perimeter fences seeking vantage points. After tense negotiations, Combermere principal Robin Douglas granted permission for controlled interaction between the rival institutions.

    The scene transformed into an impromptu celebration as hundreds of students converged to the infectious rhythms of Machel’s 2025 hit “PARDY.” For fifteen memorable minutes, traffic slowed to a crawl as motorists, school officials, and community members joined the cross-school festivities. In a powerful display of sportsmanship, recently competing athletes linked arms in unity before the motorcade returned to Bridgetown, concluding an extraordinary celebration of youth athletic excellence.